The welcome to the Blkroom event is free to open up DJ John’s membership in the Blkroom. It will be a space to kick back, learn about the space, and showcase local Chicago talent. The event will feature a 15-minute live panel, live performances, live DJ sets, and an RNB Kickback at the end. 

Hosted by the best @dbaby902 and Dj sets by howykjordan and myself

Performances by @toriandlex_music, @butterfly_fly_kai, @antmajor_theoracle, @luuveyy

Vendors:@seasonedandsoaps @nia.noteworthy, @dadopamineproject

Who is @djjohn.west - My name is Dj John West and I am a Black queer multidisciplinary artist, educator, and space-maker from Chicago’s South Side. For the past nine years, I have been committed to creating spaces for Black, Brown, Queer, and other marginalized communities to experience joy and love through dance, music, and visual art. My artistic journey begins through the lens of DJing and photography. Through DJing, I highlight the connections between Black diasporic music like hip-hop, dancehall, and reggaeton, and through mixing I preserve Chicago’s stepping, skating, juke, and house music cultures. Djing provides the opportunity for me to connect music history, erotic desire, and collectivism. As a photographer, my work combines portraiture and earthly aesthetics to highlight the connections between Black and Brown creativity, youth, kinship, nature, and personal freedom. As a visual artist, my work attempts to queer time by blurring the lines of temporality and creating timeless pieces that center on Black queer expression. 

As a space maker, I work to provide free spaces so artists can express themselves freely, while also connecting themselves to a larger lineage of Chicago cultural production and political history. As an “academic” and researcher, I work to make connections between Chicago’s many Black renaissances to the nation’s larger histories with spatiality, cultural production, and education, and try to answer the question: What are the conditions of possibility for black pleasure, joy, and resistance in a world that is plagued with systemic anti-blackness?

ChiBrations LIGHTNING JAM is a jam session for electronics - live beat makers, electronic instrumentalists, looping and FX, keys & synths, vocoders, digital and analogue.  All ages and skill levels welcome.

Light food and refreshments will be available

FREE RSVP below!

Bring your gear, controllers, and cables.

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The ChiBrations Element Jam Session is a series of jams based on the themes of the natural elements (water, air, fire, earth, electricity). Each event will encourage participants to collaborate and engage with others in ways that prioritize the theme. Each given theme provides direction, and even sometimes limitation, but with the intention to lead creatives to new discoveries in artistic expression and language.

The Importance of Curating Our Personal Libraries and Creating Living Archives - Curated by Alexandria of SOUIL Chicago

A curated selection from theIr personal library of artists and texts referenced in Black Art: In the Absence of Light - 2021 Documentary/Drama ‧ 1h 25m FILM SHOWING

Celebrate the end of the summer series with a screening of the documentary.

Popcorn by Pop-FushionGourmet Popcorn

Indigo Sessions is a collective show series, founded by Aliyah Jones, created to highlight the artistry of Black Women and Femmes. Inspired by her own experiences and the noticeable absence of spaces that truly uplift and celebrate Black Women in the arts, Aliyah envisioned the series to embody a sanctuary where Our voices and stories could not only be heard but also nurtured.

Indigo Sessions is driven by a mission to showcase the incredible talent of Black Women and Femmes and foster a community where their artistry can flourish without barriers. Through the intimate showcases, Indigo hopes to provide a platform for exploratory art, dialogue, and community.

This event will be at The.BlkRoom - 4015 W Carrol Ave, Chicago IL, 606023

Performances By -

Oxvy.Moron - 6:15pm - 6:50pm

Camíla - 7:05pm - 7:40pm

Aliyah Jones - 7:55pm - 8:30pm

Vending From -

Earthy Essance - @theearthyygirly

Sou.l Chicago - @Souilchicago

50% of the donation-based proceeds will go to Assatas Daughters - Click Here to Learn More

Our Family Dinner event is part of a summer wellness series and is an opportunity for our community to enjoy some vegan, inclusive food prepared with love by some of our community members who use food as a means to support their community. We encourage everyone to read through the menu beforehand and be prepared for some of the best vegan food in Chicago.

Each ticket purchase includes one dinner plate and a drink of your choice.All additional food and drink items will be available for purchase from our vendors. All the proceeds of this event go right back to the chefs. In addition, this is a BYOB event.

Throughout the night, we will be blessed by the tunes of Dondarii who recently won the prize for DJ of the Year at the 2024 Official VSN Music Awards! Later on in the evening, there will be a performance by 9dsvn. You don't want to miss this!

Join alt_ on Saturday August 17 from 12 to 3pm for a reflective and immersive arts experience at The Blk Room. “The Lake Stool Project” is the culminating celebration of the Plastic Patrol cohorts, as they have learned how to turn trash into treasure by recycling plastic waste into stools, benches, beehives and more.

This exhibition will guide participants through this unique process of transformation, and facilitate reflective activities for guests to sit on their problems in true Plastic Patrol style. Food and drinks will be provided. Admission is free, but we welcome all donations and book purchases of Lake Stool with gratitude!

Join us on August eleventh at The.BlkRoom for “Spirit Wave”, a summer evening dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone to enjoy themselves. The night will open with a performance by rapper and poet Devin, followed by the neo-soul enriching sounds of Green T and The Tempos. The final act will be the Ghetto Space Band with Wayne Gazi and special guests, culminating in an electrifying DJ set by 9MagicForever1.

Attendees can indulge in delicious food and drinks while mingling and celebrating the transition from summer to fall. This event invites anyone in need of being themselves.

Come relax, meet new people, and have a fantastic time as we close out the season together.

Our community wellness day is a wellness workshop and open mic event hosted by DJ John. This event aims to provide a platform for free speech and self-expression without fear of judgment while fostering community, and understanding amongst fellow attendees. The evening will conclude with a conversation on building community, mental health, and self care.

The Importance of Curating Our Personal Libraries and Creating Living Archives - Curated by Alexandria of SOUIL Chicago

A curated selection from thEIr personal library of artists and texts referenced in Black is Beautiful by Kwame Braithwaite (Jan 1, 1938 - April 1 2023)

Live at 2112 with Center for Creative Entrepreneurs, or CCE our Co-Founders Camila Vick and Senite Barih will be in conversation about creating The.BlkRoom and the importance of creative entrepreneurship!

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7217924308688359424/comments/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W3VzSdblVo&ab_channel=CenterForCreativeEntrepreneurship

Sublvl is hosting it's second ever DJ Showcase, BLKout PT 2, this Saturday July 13th! THIS IS A FUNDRAISING EVENT SO PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN. In partnership with our family at the The BlkRoom, the event will be from 7pm-12 am, featuring sets from Ade, Miracle, Darrius, Cohen and Adam and as well as special menu from our friends over at Chunky's Treats! This event is BYOB/BYOL, water and good vibes will be provided.

The 312 Collective is excited to present its first in-person panel with a discussion led by Chicago native Chelsea B- a renowned fiber artist. The panel will be a discussion for all creatives curious to hear about Chelsea's work as an artist. Attendees will be also be given the opportunity to ask questions as well!

We are so excited to announce our new Series Sunday Salons curated in collaboration with @alexandriaxthegrea @souilChicago with beverages from @musecoffee!

Sunday June 23RD from 2pm - 4pm we will be opening space to discuss the importance of curating our personal libraries and creative living archives. This workshop and activation will be curated from Alexandria’s personal library of of artists and texts referenced in the anthology Black Futures edited by Kimberly Drew + Jenna Wortham.

We hope to see you at this free event to spend an afternoon building community around black art books, zines, and vinyl while enjoying beverages from muse coffee.